Other riders injured at Southwick: Shimoda, Romano and Craig

It is not just the drama surrounding the two Coenen brothers that is making the headlines following the sixth round of the US Nationals at Southwick. The event was overshadowed by further serious crashes and injuries. Japanese HRC works rider Jo Shimoda arrived as the championship leader in the 250cc class but crashed out during the second qualifying session, breaking his collarbone and being forced to withdraw.

Red flag following Romano’s crash

Shortly after Shimoda’s crash, Pro Circuit Kawasaki factory rider Nick Romano was also involved in an incident. As he prepared to take off for a long jump, he lost control and crashed heavily. The session was halted with a red flag. Romano was taken from the track to hospital with suspected severe back injuries, where he was diagnosed with a compression fracture of the T6 thoracic vertebra and a fracture of the T5 vertebra. No operation is required, but Romano narrowly escaped becoming paraplegic.

Race abandoned following Christian Craig’s crash

Quadlock-Honda rider Christian Craig crashed at the end of the first race in the 450 class. The race was stopped under a red flag. He too was taken to hospital with suspected serious back injuries. A fracture of the T3 thoracic vertebral spinous process was almost a ‘relief’, but of course even these fractures in the back are dangerous.